Struggles in U.S. Poll Worker Recruitment

The U.S. is facing a notable shortage of poll workers, making the recruitment process for upcoming elections increasingly challenging. This difficulty stems from heightened threats and accusations of voter tampering that emerged during the 2020 election, contributing to a fear-driven reluctance among potential volunteers, historically comprised mainly of retired seniors. In response, several jurisdictions are expanding the criteria for poll workers, including initiatives to engage high school students as assistants and introducing increased security measures at polling locations. If these issues persist, the long-term effects could lead to reduced access to polling locations, ultimately disenfranchising voters and complicating the democratic process.